Mixing 3,400 square feet, six kids under age 11 and 40 vendors is a handful, but Dearborn moms Amanda Lawson and Stacey Grant are doing just that at their new pop-up, Made Metro Collective in Dearborn.
“We just kind of swap, with one of us watching the kids and one of us running the store,” Lawson says. “It’s both of our families making it work right now.”
They feature hundreds of local products like clothing, home décor, kids goods, food, body care items and more. The store is open until Jan. 27.
Their kids love to play behind the register or browse the toys – especially a crochet artist’s plush animals.
“We have a shelf of 60 animals, and it’s a favorite for our 3-year-olds to go play with them,” Grant says. “It’s wonderland for them.”
Their goal is to innovate retail. “We’re looking at our store as a social gathering space as well as a place to buy items,” says Grant. “We want people to come to the space and feel welcomed and get to know the story of the makers.”
Adds Lawson, “We have a coffee station, a mini library and a sitting spot, so it’s somewhere for families to shop, browse and hang out. You can make a little night of downtown now with our spot being there.”
The store may one day find a permanent home, but till then, hurry in.
4 Fun Finds
Construct a Truck USA
Precision wood-building kits, for youth to adults, by father-son duo Jim and Mike Bustamante of Dearborn. $15-$225.
Chain Reaction Finds
Nancy Campbell repurposes found treasures into unique jewelry like paintbrush earrings and spring-and-bolt studded necklaces.
Bloom Bunny
Hayley Cason Grobbel stitches whimsically printed soft-as-air baby and kids leggings, rompers, dresses, shirts and bibs.
Motor City Creations Faygo Candles
Jenna Pederson makes officially licensed candles that smell exactly like your favorite hometown pop flavors.
More about Made Metro Collective
- Address: 22275 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
- Hours: Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, till Jan. 27
